Eurovision: share your stories and photos

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Whether you're at a party in South America or Australia or just watching the TV from your sofa in Europe, share your photos and tell us what Eurovision means to you. Don't forget to tell us where you live – and which country you're supporting!

If you and your friends are cheering for different countries, we'd love to hear from you – we want to hear all about the rivalry, the camaraderie and the costumes!

Back in 1995 I had a party for school friends and for the second year running did a huge scoreboard on the window of our front room. This is the moment it was revealed from behind the drawn curtains. Who needs CGI eh!

Good lord, is this really the sixth year in a row that I've held a Eurovision screening party? Every time they manage to get bigger, and every time more and more of my friends learn about another side of Europe...

Pictured above is a shaky shot taken right after Finland performed; a group had gone out to the balcony for a smoke, but the rest of us were waving our makeshift European flags with patriotism for our temporarily adopted countries at full stream.

I guess the timing of the contest fits well for a party; by mid-May, everyone has finished their exams and the weather has finally turned towards something a little less hostile. In other words, the perfect time of year to dress up in gold lamé and drink heavily at 3:00pm. As far as this year went, we brought in a full keg of strong Danish ale from across provincial borders. We also had a DYI smorrebord spread, homemade cinnamon buns and apple tarts, LEGO-shaped candies...the Danish food table was a collaborative success.

After adding up the scorecards this morning, Belarus won among our few dozen partygoers, with Poland and Austria tied very close behind in second place (Sweden was in last place with negative points). Though, the top result for Belarus could have been influenced by the cheesecake we had baked for the event, with Teo's face in edible ink smirking back at all of us.

It's the morning after the night before. I find confetti in my hair and glitter on the bedsheets. I'm feeling glum. However, the Eurovision bubble is well and truly burst and I'm suffering from Post-Eurovision Depression.

On the train from Stansted I overheard the word 'qualifier'. I thought they were talking about the contest, only to realise they were actually talking about the football. Back to earth with a bump – OUCH!

My non-Eurovision friends will have to humour me and listen as I waffle on at how brilliant the show was and be willing to analyse the results. I need to re-enter the normal world gently. Sorry. However, I've consoled myself with finding things that will help. Listening to the pop-up Eurovision station on BBC Radio 2, (thank you BBC), knowing that I will be able to re-watch all of the shows on i-player over the next week. And finally, attending West End Eurovision on the 22nd May. Whoop!

Whilst in Copenhagen, watching people dressed up and doing Eurovision karaoke in the street, I said to my friends 'I just don't understand why people DON'T like Eurovision.' Really, I just don't get it. What's not to like? The music is such fun and now so varied. Wow – this year we had power ballads, rock, folk and more. The staging was amazing and for a family entertainment show, it really can't be beaten – which is why I loved it as a child.

I've now been going to the live shows since 2003 (missed two) and within that time have met some fabulous people who might be an accountant or banker by day, but for one week in May – they are party animals, Eurovision style.

Before each show there are fans dressed up in all sorts of outfits. This year we had sequins, trilbies, Union Jack dresses, moustaches and beards.

On that note, here's me paying homage to the worthy winner last night – Conchita. To all other Eurovision fans, see you in Austria 2015!

On the day I arrived in England (aged 20) from Australia via Paris and the ferry into Newhaven, the first television I saw was the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest. This was also the first time I had ever seen a colour television. I will never forget watching Abba singing Waterloo, whilst I sat in an Elizabethan cottage in Moonhill, Sussex. It was wonderful.

I was watching eurovision since 2000. And to celebrate all good things related to eurovision, i created the Eurovision Friends. Each friend has a country to represent thanks to the heartflags they wear and a different personality. You can follow them on twitter as @eurofriendsesc